Car roof



y ,1931. E. R. 'SWANSON 1,803,442

CAR ROOF Filed Aug. .4, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet, l

w Cfozmq:

May 5, 1931. E. R. SWANSON CAR ROOF Filed Aug. 14, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet, 2

y 1931. E. k. SWANSON 1,803,442

CAR ROOF Filed Aug. 14, 1929 I5 Sheets-Sheet. 3

wire STATE PATT . QFFLCE EARL R. SW'ANSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSI GN OR TO GfIICAGO-CLEVELAND CAR BQGFIHG COliiILAIEC, F UHICAGO, ILLI'NGIS, A. COEtPflR-ATIGN OF DELAWARE V can Roor "Application filed August 14, 1929. Serial.1\To.385,870.

My invention relates vto roofs for railway cars and more particularly to car roofs of the flexible type. i

- its is wellknown, the sheets of a flexible type roof are arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the car so that they may move relatively L0 each other and to the roof structure. Heretofore in this type of roof mullions and other similar means have been it} used to limit movement of the sheets longituvdinally of the car and seam caps, which usually embrace each of the mullions, have been employed to connect the edges of the sneets on opposite sides ofthe mullions.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide one means which serves to limit movement of the roofsheets longitudinally of the car and to connect the adjoining edges of adj acentroof sheets by spanningthe spaces between them.

longitudinally of the car.

Another feature of theinvention resides in associating with roof sheetshaving upturned side marginal flanges, transverse seam caps respectively having depressed central 'por1 tions adapted to be disposed. between the neighboring flanges of adjacent'roof sheets and with portions for respectively housing the said flanges; V i

A further feature of the invention consists in associating with the transverse seam caps, center caps respectively having portions cooperating with the portions of adjacent seam caps which are. disposed between the adj oiningedges of adjacent roof sheets and with the portions thereof which house the upturned flanges of the roof sheets. V

A still further feature of the invention consists in providing. the ridge end of each seam cap with an upstanding portion to, prevent water from seeping under the center cap or heingblown into the car.

Other and more specific features of the. invention residing in advantageous form's, combinations'and relations of parts will hereinafter appear and be pointed out in1 the claims.

In the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a car roofembodying the invention, portions of the. roof sheets being broken away.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken.

on line 2+2, Figure 1.

. Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 33, Figure l, the running board saddle being omitted.

Figure l'is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 3, a portion of a bracket for the running board saddle being illustrated.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the center cap and the adjacent end of one transverse seam cap, the parts being illustrated in a disassociated position.

Fi 'ure 6 1s a fra mentar sectional new a n b I taken on line 66, Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectlonal view taken on line 77 F1 ure 1. c

I 7 e Referring more particularly to the draw i1 1gs,'1 indicates the side plates of the roof structure, which, as is well known, are connected at their opposlte ends by end side plates not shown. Each of the side plates are preferably of Z shape, having upper and lower oppositely projecting substantially horizontal flanges 2 and 3 connected by a substantially vertical web 4. The carlines 5, which'may be of any suitable shape, extend transversely of the roof and rest at their opposite ends on the upper flanges 2 of the respective side plates, being secured thereto by any suitable means not shown. Extending longitudinally of the car are the usual purlins 6 and ridge pole 7 which rest upon and are secured to' each of the carlines by bolts 8. I

Extending between the ridge pole 7 and each side-plate of the roof structure are a plurality of sheets 10 which arearranged in spaced relation longitudinallyof the car. At portionsintermediate their edges thereof sheets rest directly upon and are supported by the purlins 6, while at their ridge edges they are supported in recesses at grooves 11 formed in opposite sides of the ridge pole 7. At their eaves edges the roof sheets are supported by filler members 12 which extend between the carlines and are respectively in terposed between the roof sheets and the upper horizontal flanges 2 of the side plates.

Secured to the outer face of each of the filler members 12 by bolts 13 is a fascia strip 1% which may advantageously depend downwardly so as to overlap the outer face of the web 4: of the associated side plate. Adjacent the neighboring eaves edges of each of the roof sheets is a flashing plate 15 which is in terposed between each filler member and fascia, on the one hand, and the roof sheets on the other, aportion of each flashing plate being preferably bent downwardly to overlap the outer face of the fascia lei.

At their eaves edges each of the roof sheets is provided with a downwardly projecting flange 16 which, when the sheets are in assembled position, are spaced slightly outward from the adjacent flashing plates 15, while at their ridge edges each of the sheets is pro vided with an upwardly projecting flange 17. These ridge flanges 17 of the roof sheets are spaced slightly from the portion 18 of the ridge pole formed by the recesses or grooves 11 thereof. Adjacent their side marginal edges each of the roof sheets is preferably provided with an upwardly oflset portion 18 which is spaced somewhat above the purlins 6. Each of these offset portions of the roof sheets terminates in an upwardly projecting flange 19 provided with returnbent portions 20. Adjacent the eaves edges of the roof sheets the upwardly projecting flanges 19 preferably merge into the plane of the main body portions of the sheets, while at their ridge edges they connect with the flanges 17.

To connect or join the adjoining side edges of adjacent roof sheets, transverse seam caps or members 21 are preferably emplo ed which respectively span the spaces between the roof sheets. Each of these seam caps is provided with a depressed central portion adapted to be positioned between the upwardly projecting flanges of associated roof sheets to limit movement of the latter longitudinally of the car. The depressed portion of each seam cap comprises a web 22 and upwardly projecting portions or legs 23, the web being preferably disposed in the plane of the main body portions of the roof sheets so as to rest upon and be supported by the purlins. At their upper ends the legs of the seam caps are respectively bent outwardly, as at 24, thence downwardly, as at 25, and then terminate in laterally projecting flanges 26 which contact with the upper surfaces of the offset portions 18 of the roof sheets. It

will thus be seen that the legs 23 and the portions 24: and 25 of the seam caps aflord means for housing the upwardly projecting flanges 19 of the roof sheets. From the form of the seam cap illustrated, it may be said to comprise one upwardly opening cha-miel which is interposed between adjacent roof sheets and two downwardly opening channels which respectively house the adjoining upturned flanges of adjacent roof sheets. These channel portions of the seam caps are so positioned that when the roof sheets are in their normal positions the distance between the upwardly projecting flanges 19 of the roof sheets and the legs 23 of the seam cap is substantially the same as the distance between the ends of the portions 20 of the flanges 19 and the adjacent portions 25 of the seam cap. The laterally projecting flanges 26 of the seam caps are so arranged that they tend to exert a slight downward pressure upon the offset portions 18 of the roof sheets so as to prevent the passage or seepage of water between the seam caps and roof sheets, but it will be readily apparent that should water be blown or otherwise pass in between the seam caps and roof sheets, the upturned flanges 19 of the latter will prevent the water from entering the interior of the car.

At their ridge ends each of the seam caps is formed with an upwardly projecting flange 27 which, in effect, constitutes a continuation of the legs 23 thereof. These flanges, as will hereinafter more clearly appear, adequately prevent water from getting into the car at the seam caps adjacent the ridge of the roof. As it is particularly desirable to form or stamp the seam caps from one blank or sheet of metal, their ridge flanges are curved and fluted to take up the excess metal which would otherwise occur at these points. At their eaves edges all portions of each of the seam caps preferably terminate in substantially the plane of the web 22 so that water will readily drain from the roof. These plane portions of seam caps may advantageously be flanged downwardly, as at 28, in spaced relation to the eaves flanges 16 of the roof sheets.

The seam caps may be respectively secured in place by bolts 29 which pass through the webs 22 thereof and are connected to anchor brackets 30 of angle shape, one leg 31 of each of the brackets being preferably horizontal to support the bolt and the other leg 32 thereof being substantially vertical and secured to the side structure of the roof by the bolts 13 heretofore described. The portion of the web of each seam cap immediately adjacent the aperture thereof for receiving the bolt 29 may be conveniently olfset as at 33 and a ferrule 34- interposed therehetween and the horizontal leg of the anchor bracket for properly supporting the cap.

Embracing the ridge pole at points substantially'midway between each of the roof sheets longitudinally of the'car, are a plurality of members 35, each :of which is fashioned with downwardly pro ecting. flanges 36 adapted to respectively engagethe outer faces of the upwardly projecting ridge flanges 17 of associated roof sheets disposed onoppositc sides of the ridge. These members, which maybe secured to the ridge pole by bolts 37, serve to limit movement of the sheets transversely of the roof, but the inner surfaces of the flanges 36 thereof preferably curved to permit the sheets to pivot or rotate with respect to them. as a center;

In addition to the transverse seam caps 21, longitudinal sea-m caps 38 are provided which connect the ridge ends Of adjacent roof sheets onfopp'osite sides of the ridge of the roof and each of the caps 38 merely extends from adjacent one offset portion 18 of-each roof sheet to the other o'iiset portion thereof. Each of the longitudinal caps is preferably of channel shape, having a substantially horizontal web 39 and downward ly projcctin flanges 40 terminating in la terally projecting flanges' ll which contact with adjacent portions of the roof sheets.

'AtthG points of junction of thewtransverse and longitudinal seam caps are the center caps 42 which may be conveniently secured in place by bolts 43 which extend througlrsuitably formed apertures in the ridge pole. These bolts e3 may also be employed for securing a supporting bracket 44 of the running board saddle 45. Each of the center caps is fashioned with a substantially horizontal continuously extending web46 and two pairs of downwardly extending legs 47, thereby forming two channel portions adapted to respectively embrace the adjoining ends of adjacent longitudinal seam caps. 1 The legs 47 of the channel portions preferably terminate in lateral flanges 48 overlappingly engaging the upper surfaces of the adjacent offset portions of the roof sheets and of the lateral flanges of the longitudinal seam caps. 7

Intermediate their channel, portions each of the center caps is formed with portions similar in contour to the transverse seam caps which are adapted to embracingly overlap the portions of the latter adjoining the ridge of the roof. Each of these transverse seam cap co-operatingiportions is provided with a web 49, upwardly extending legs 50,

oppositely projecting horizontal portions 51 and downwardly extending legs 52 which merge with and form a continuation ofthe lateral flanges 49 of the channel portions of the cap. The-legs are joined by a portion 53 which is curved similarly to the curved flange 27 of the transverse cap. Figure 5 of the drawings readily shows the manner in which these portions of the center cap cooperate with the transverse seam caps; and as the former fit downover the latter, any water which may be blown or otherwise pass in between them will be prevented from entering the interior of the car by the ridge flange 27 of the seam caps.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that a transverse seam cap has been provided which serves the dual function of limiting longitudinal moveinent of adjacent roof sheets and spanning the spaces between them, and that the improved, form of cent-er cap which has been disclosed serves to efficiently perform its intended purpose.

I cla m: 7

1. Ina railway car, the combination with in vspaccdrelation longitudinally of the car in supporting engagement with said Ipurlins, and seam caps respectively spanning the spaces between ad acent roof sheets, each of said seam caps having a portion interposed between the adjoining edges of adjacent roof sheets, said portion comprising a web and upwardly projecting legs, said web being disposed substantiallyin the plane, of the main body portions of the roof sheets and in supportingengagement with the purlins' 3. A roof. for a railway car involving a plurality of roof sheets garranged inispaced .relation longitudinally of the car, each of said sheets adjacent its opposite sides being offset upwardly and terminating in substantially upright flanges, and a pluralityof" seam' ca-ps forrespectively spanning the spaces be- 'tweenlthe roof sheets, each of said seam caps comprising a web portion disposed intermediate the adjoining upright flanges ofadjacentroof sheets andbeing disposed substantially in the plane of the main body portions of the roof sheets, said web terminating in'portions forming housings for the upright flanges of the adjacentroof sheets, said hous-' ings being formed with laterally projecting flanges respectively disposed in planes above the web'of theseam cap and arrangedto the associated roof sheets.

4. Aroof' for arailway car comprising a contact with the adjacent offset portions of plurality of roof sheets arranged in spaced 7,

relation, longitudinally of the car 'on 0p- .posite sides of the ridge of the roof,jseam caps respectively having depressed portions interposed between the adjoining edges of adjacent roof sheets, said depressed portion of each seam cap adjacent the ridge of the root being flanged upwardly, and a plurality of center caps respectively having portions disposed within the depressed portions of associated seam caps, said portions of the center caps affording a housing for the ridge flanges of the seam caps.

5. A roof for a railway car involving a plurality of roof sheets arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the car on opposite sides of the ridge of the r001, the side marginal edges of each of the roof sheets terminating in upturned flanges, seam caps on each side of the ridge of the roof for spanning the spaces between the root sheets, each of said seam caps having a depressed central portion for limiting movement of adjacent roof sheets longitudinally of the car and portions for respectively housing the adjoining upturned flanges of adjacent root sheets, and center caps for respectively con necting the adjacent seam caps on opposite sides of the ridge of the roof, each of said center caps having portions generally conforming to the contour of the seam caps.

6. A roof for a railway car involving a plurality of roof sheets disposed on opposite sides of the ridge of the roof, the sheets on each side of the ridge being arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the car, each of said roof sheets being fashioned with upturned flanges, seam caps spanning the spaces between the roof sheets, each of said seam caps having a central web and upwardly projecting legs disposed intermediate the adjoining upturned flanges of adj acent roof sheets, the legs of each seam cap terminating in portions forming housings for the upturned flanges of the adjacent roof sheets, each of said seam caps adjacent the ridge of the roof being fashioned with a flange forminga continuation of the legs thereof, and center caps for respectively connecting the adjacent seam caps on opposite sides of the ridge of the roof, each of said center caps having a portion for housing the ridge flanges of associated seam caps.

7. A roof for a railway car involving a plurality of roof sheets disposed on opposite sides of the ridge of the roof, the sheets on each side of the ridge being arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the car, seam caps on each side of the ridge of the roof for spanning the spaces between adjacent roof sheets, each of said seam caps having a depressed portion interposed between adjoining edges of adjacent roof sheets, the

depressed portion of each seam cap being fashioned with an upwardly projecting flange adjacent the ridge of the roof, and center caps having portions respectively embracing the upwardly projecting flanges of adjacent seam caps.

8. A roof for a railway car involving a plurality of roof sheets disposed on opposite sides of the ridge of the roof, the sheets on each side of the ridge being arranged 1n spaced relation longitudinally of the car, seam caps on each side of the ridge of the roof for spanning the spaces between adjacent root sheets, each of said seam caps adj acent its ridge end being fashioned with an upwardly projecting curved flange, the said flange being provided with a plurallty of corrugations, and center caps respectively having portions for co-operating with said upturned flanges of adjacent seam caps.

9. A roof for a railway car involving roof sheets arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the car on opposite sides of the ridge of the roof, each of said roof sheets having upwardly projecting side marginal flanges and ridge flanges, transverse seam caps for respectively spanning the spaces between adjoining side marginal flanges of adjacent roof sheets, each of said seam caps having a portion interposed between the associated roof sheets for limiting movement thereof longitudinally of the car, longitudinal seam caps respectively housing the adjoining ridge flanges of adjacent roof sheets, and center caps for respectively connecting the transverse and longitudinal seam caps,

each of said center caps havlng channelshaped portions cooperating with adjacent longitudinal seam caps and portions co-operating with the said interposed portions of adjacent transverse seam caps In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EARL R. SVVANSON. 

